"Poison"
- Artist/Author/Producer: Todd Haynes
- Confronting Bodies: Rev. Donald E. Wildmon, American Family Association
- Dates of action: 1991
- Location: United States
- Description of the Art Work
- The film interweaves three narratives that explore the nature of
violence, or poison, in society. One story, "Homo," is set in the 1940's
and was inspired by the writings of Jean Genet.
- Description of incident
- Rev. Donald E. Wildmon charged the NEA with supporting a film with
"explicit porno scenes of homosexuals involved in anal sex." Wildmon
admitted when questioned later that he had drawn his conclusions from a
review and had not scene any portion of the movie, "Poison." Around the
country conservative groups protested at theaters when the movie opened.
- Results of incident
- John E. Frohnmayer of the NEA responded to Wildmon with heavy support and
justification for "Poison." The Film received a Grand Jury Prize at the
Sundance Film Festival and was very successful in the theaters.
Source: Committee For Artists' Rights Archive